SOUTHBRIDGE — The driver of a tractor-trailer truck that veered into a guardrail and tipped onto its side on Commercial Drive on Monday admitted to authorities he had dropped a cigarette and reached down to get it before the accident, Police Chief Daniel R. Charette said Tuesday.

The driver, Jeffrey Raskett, 51, of North Brookfield, was cited for impeded operation of a motor vehicle, or distracted driving.

According to the chief, Mr. Raskett said that when he reached back up, his truck was off the road.

Because of the admission of driver error, authorities did not feel the need to call state police for accident reconstruction, the chief said.

The accident was reported at 2:47 p.m., and it took until about 7 p.m. for operators of three cranes to right the fallen truck, which was from MBI trash hauling company, acting Town Manager Kevin E. Paicos said.